Losing Lincoln Park Zoo

Growing up black on the South Side of Chicago, Summer was not complete without the trips to Lincoln Park Zoo.  My family was luckier than most, our Mom would take us at least 3 or four times in summer so that we could see the babies.

Mom would prepare TipTop bread, Scotts Street Loaf and Imperial sandwiches, thermos with Hawiian Punch and some graham crackers for dessert. Every once and a while she'd let other kids come too, but the best times when we went alone with our Mommy.

Lincoln Park Zoo opened in 1868 with a gifted pair of white swans as it's first residents.  Most Chicago residents have been there at least once.

This is Wilma The White Spoonbill Stork, quite a beauty ain't she?

While we were meandering through what is truly a remarkable piece of property, Mom would tell us about the animals, pronouncing their Latin names.  And how the critters would cut up when the Mosby Mob came to town.  Condors would swoop when Kimmy ran up to the cage, birds would peck me in the head ala Tippy Hedron and Mike would eat too much.

My siblings and I got to know every nook and cranny of the dusty old place.  We never realized just how small those enclosures were, or the trapped and haunted look in the eyes of the exhibits.  We were children, excited to see real wildlife right there in front of our eyes.

I hadn't been back in awhile, so I wasn't adverse to a trip down Memory Lane.  The sticker shock is amazing, yes it is still free, but $2.50 for a bottle of water, come on!! And get this, the water fountains don't work-wtf!!

I have to admit that I did enjoy strolling the grounds, snapping pictures as I went.  But the enjoyment was tinged a bit with guilt because they are existing in captivity, and that must be rough. Never to feel the savannah under your feet, never to fly swiftly for miles into the sun, never to wallow in the waters of your homeland.

My family names everything, cars, pets, homes..you get the drift.  So I started naming my photo subjects above is Myrna the Meerkat, and below is Melvin the Melencholy Lion.  He roared a few times, turned his back on his audience and pooped. Didn't capture that, thank goodness.

Don't misunderstand, I realize the value in zoos, just wish they didn't exist.

But the kids tho, they were losing their minds!!! Little, shrill voices hyped up on sugar and pure, sweet adrenaline. I remember those days well.  Squeals of delight, gasps of awe and wonder.  The Zoo can be magical when you are too short to see reality of their habitats.

Humans were not the only ones having a good time, cause I swear this bird above is giving me shade.  I had a good ole belly laugh at this bird's expense, so I'm calling her Doozy.

Here's Larry the Leopard who is all out of f**cks to give.  I spent 15 minutes of my life I will never get back trying to get him agitated enough to move, home boy did not budge.  

Some subjects were more willing than others, meet Mike the Meetkat, Myrna's ex.  Dude is cocky, ain't he ?

Mike made me laugh out loud.  And if it weren't for this little guy, I might have decided not to go back.  But I have to find out if he and Myrna make it. Stay tuned for an update.